04-03-2025
Irma Ariza, a fashionista volunteer helping women Dress for Success every day
DES MOINES, Iowa — Irma Ariza has an eye for design and a heart for helping others. She utilizes her talents as a longtime volunteer for Dress for Success Des Moines, where she's not only curating looks but also changing lives.
'I fell in love working with the clients and being able to help them, and see a smile on their face… This is something I really enjoy doing,' said Ariza.
She empowers women to look and feel their best when either interviewing for a job, or starting a new career. Ariza says, 'We always try to make them feel comfortable, and I say that this is a good experience, don't be nervous.'
The women receive more than clothing items, they get a shopping experience hand-tailored to their fashion needs and taste.
'When I see that smile on their face when they come out with their outfits and they see themselves, it's like 'oh my God' ya know, that is a very important thing to me, because that makes me feel like they like what they are wearing and they feel comfortable and that is the important thing. Not just what I want, what they feel,' said Ariza.
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With more than a decade of experience as a stylist, she's got a perfect track record. Arixa says, 'So far, I haven't had a client that has said they don't feel good at all, or that they don't like what they get.'
Her efforts support women of all backgrounds, supplying them with a fashionable and functional wardrobe. 'I have clients that come and say 'Well, I don't have a pair of tennis shoes,' or 'I just came out of jail and I have only this pair of shoes, and it's cold, I need something warm.' So, we try to keep the items that they need for the weather as well,' said Ariza
Ariza reminds clients that it's okay to look beyond the basics and add a little flare.
'Helping them out with the right jewelry and then they can see the difference. And sometimes they model here, [and ask] can you take my picture? So that says a lot that they feel good and like what we are giving to them,' said Ariza.
'Many of the women are like, I've never seen myself look professional before. And so when Irma does that and you can see that, like what she said, the eyes, they just shine and they know, okay, I've got this. So when they walk out the door, it's now this. You know, they feel empowered, they feel confident, they feel valued more,' said Nicole Sickels, Director of Operations and Programs at Dress for Success, and the person who nominated Ariza.
But Irma's work goes beyond the clothes, helping women break down barriers into the professional world, serving as a translator to Spanish-speaking women who need help perfecting their resumes and practicing mock interviews.
'Spanish is my first language, and I've been there. So, when they need help, I always say I am here, I can help you,' said Ariza.
Ariza is a pillar of support for Latina women whose shoes she's walked in before. Ariza says, 'I learned English working… I did it in a hard way, by learning at work, and that was hard, so knowing that, I always think if I did it, you can do it.'
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She's a Remarkable Woman, giving other women the tools they need to Dress for Success every day.
'It was so amazing when she sent the email to me and I read it, I shouted for joy. It was so exciting. You know, she does. She never asks for any recognition. She doesn't want to be recognized. But every woman deserves to be recognized at some point in their life when they're doing the work that Irma is doing,' said Sickels.
'I don't count what I do, I just do it… I don't expect anything, because what I do I do it from the bottom of my heart. And I try to help others, without wanting anything as a reward… Because I want to help other women,' said Ariza.
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